Apparatus for sterilizing milk and other liquids.



PATENTED DEG. 5, 1905.

. R. G. TURNER. APPARATUS FUR STERILIZING MILK AND OTHER LI QUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.16,1904.

witnesses UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE. l

ROBERT c. TURNER, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.V APPARATUS FOR si'EhlLlzlNG yMILK AND OTHER LlQulDs'.

specication of Lettera Patent.

Patented .,Dec. 5, 1905.

' Application med March 16,1904.y serial No. 198,504.

lowing isa specification, reference being had therein to 'the accompanying drawings.

.flo

This invention relates to an im roved apparatus for treating liquids for t purpose of puriying,sterilizing, and otherwise modifying them by the electric current.

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus embodying my improvements and more`or less conventionally illustrated. Fi 2 is a vertical section of one of the vesse s or holding the liquid during the time of treatment. Fig. 3 shows detached and in perspective one of 2o the vessels used in the process. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a modified. form of. vessel forholding the liquid.

In the drawings a supporting-frame 1 is shown, it havin the horizontal step-like arts 2 2 and a p atform 3. Upon the platorm 3 -is mounted the initial tank or receptacle 4, which contains the liquid that is to be treated by the apparatus below it. v

Inasmuch as I am at resent emploiying y 1n d3o the present apparatus an method large the treatment of milk, I herein refer more specifically to that liquid; but I wish it understood that I do nothmit the invention tially similar to each other I have forconvenience designated them in the drawings inseries as 5, 6; 7, and 8. These are each prefer'- 4o ably made of a material which is non-conducting` as to electricity and suitable for the holding of the milk or other liquid. Prefer-V ably I make themof earthenware, although lass can be` substituted, if desired. Each is ormed with a mainbody art 9, adapted to a lower one. 5o erably so arran ed that the ti of the nozzle.

body parts of a hold a `body of milk and a so formed witha relatively lon s out 10, along and through which the Hbws from an up er vessel to These vessels 5 6, c., are prefor the spout of t e upper one s all deliver the milk near the inneralwall ofthe next lower one, .so as to insure that the liquid shall circulate as thorou hl as possible through the Ory the. vessels in series and prevent it from escaping too quickly from the top of one through its spout to the next lower.

If the vessel 5 be formed of porcelain or earthenware, it is at the time of manufacture provided with a tube or perforated projection 11', extending outward from one of its sides and on horizontal lines near its bottom. Through this is passed the terminal of an electric conductor 12, which terminates in an electrode 13 at the bottom of' the interior chamber` For understanding some of the features of .the present invention the series as an entirety 5 6 7 8, &c., of milk vessels may be regarded as divided into sets, each set having two vessels. Thus the vessels at 5 and 6 constitute' one set and those at 7 and 8 another, and so on. It will be understood, however, that the number in` each set may be varied according to preference or as circumstances may dictate. The vessel 6 of the first set or pair herein is constructed in the manner de-` scribed for the receptacle 5e-that is to say, it'

has a tube 12 formed therewith having an electric conductor l12 sealed and insulated therein andthe electrode 13 in the bottom any suitable source of supply. I prefer to connect it to means for supplying a powerful alternating current, such as indicated at 15. With the mains 14 14 the electrodes in the pairs of vessels (56 and 7 8, and so on) are connected in multiple, those of each pair be'- ing in series with each other-that is to say, the electrode v1.3 in the vessel 5 is in series with the electrode 13 in the vessel 6; butl when theyare considered as a pair of vessels, each in series with the other, they both are in multi le with those of the other airs in the vesse s 7 8, and so on. The con uctor 12 is connected to the side'14 of the main circuit and the conductor 12 to the side 14.

The method of operation of the mechanism illustrated will be readily understood'. The

`initial tank or receptacle 4 being supplied with a quantity of milk or liquid to be treated, it isallowed to run therefrom into the\up'` -plied to the circuit14l 14.', the electricity4 travels in multiple paths. 'It passes,'for in-N l upward through the body of t e milk thereof thesets is equal.

in, thence along the spout 10 and down with the stream into the body of the liquid in the second vessel 6 to the electrode 13', and thence out on the return-wire 12 to the lower side 14 of the main line. Similarly a branch current is passed to and from the electrodes 13 13 in the vessels? and 8 andthrough the bodies of the liquid therein and along the spout of the vessel 7.

As above remarked, the connecting up of the dierent cells or receptacles with the main line will be varied to suit the different kinds or grades of liquid which pass through the apparatus or to vary the results attained. Instead of coupling them in such way as to have two in a set, which two are electrically in series, they may be connected so as to have three in a set, the entire series in such case being in a multiple of three. Care is to be taken that-the electrical resistance in each This can be accomlished by having the receptacles uniform in Vheir dimensions and spaced so that the distance between them shall be equal, or it can be accomplished in any Way well known to the electrician, as by inserting variable resistances, as indicated at 16, in the electrical circuits for each set of vessels.

Ordinarily in the treatment of common milk I have found that with the arrangement illustrated with the entire series of cells or receptacles divided up' into pairs or sets of two, and with the pairs in multiple with the main supply-circuit the best results are attained, provided, of course, the dimensions 0f the cells are properl related to the strength and quantity ciT the current delivered. If the path of the milk is too prolonged, excessive heating results, which 1t is m desired to avoid.

The current used being alternating, the Well-known results are attained with res ect Ato the destruction of organic life; but do not wish the novel features of the process or apparatus limited to 'any particular character of current.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a slightly-modified form of vessel in which the milk is treated. It will be noted that in this form the milkdirecting spout 1() is somewhat nearer the electrode 13 than is the case in the other form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In the modified form the milk remains for a shorter eriodA of time in the vessel, and the proximity of the electrode to the directing-spout insures that the milk which is falling into the vessel will come into close proximitywith the electrode therein.

What I claim is* 1. In an apparatus for treating milk and other li uids, the combinationof a plurality of'liqui receiving and delivering vessels arranged one above the other in series and each having an iniperforate bottom wall and a directing-s'pout adapted to direct liquid overiowing t rough it in a reduced stream to the next vessel in the series, the said vessels bcing arranged electrically in pairs, a source of electric power, and means connecting cach of said pairs of vessels in multiple arc with said source of power.

2. In an apparatus for treating milk and other li uids, the combination of a plurality of liquidl receiving and delivering vessels arranged one above the other in series, each vessel having an imperforate bottom and an overflow-spout arranged to direct the liquid flowin from it to the next vessel in the series, t e plurality of electrodes, each arranged in one of said vessels in a horizontal plane beneath said 'overflow-spout, an electric circuit, and means connecting pairs of electrodes in adjacent vessels in multiple arc in ,said circuit, the vessels containing said pairs of electrodes each being electrically in series with each other.

3. In an apparatus for treating milk and other liquids, the combination of a series of liquid receiving and delivering vessels arranged one above the other, each provided with a spout adapted to direct liquid to a vessel-below it and with an electrode arranged in horizontal planes beneath said spout, an electric circuit, connections between the electrodes in the said vessels and the said circuit adapted to connect sets of the vessels in multi le, the vessels of said sets bein electricaly in series with each other, an the variable resistance arranged in the circuits of each of said sets.

4. In an apparatus for treating milk and other liquids, the non-conducting and electrically-insulated .vessels having imperforate bottoms and arranged to have liquid overflow in a reduced stream falling through the open air from one to the other, an electrode submerged in the liquid body of each vessel and adapted to have an electric current flow from one to the other along the said reduced stream, substantially as set forth.

IOO

5. In an apparatus for treating milk and l vstream and conductors for taking current to and from said electrodes respectively, substantially as set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of the liquid-holding vessel having the body 9, the stream-forming spout the combination of the upper non-conduct- `ing vessel, the lower non-conducting vessel ling the quantity 6, each of said vessels having imperforateA bottom walls means for Vdelivering. liquid from the upper vessel to the lowerr one in a reduced stream, the electrode in the lower art of the up er vessel, the electrode in the ower part of tlie lower vessel, the conductors connecting' said electrodes` to op osite sides of an electric circuit, and means? of liquid flowing in the said stream,substantially as set forth. 8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of the upper non-conducting vessel, the lower non conductin vessel, means for delivering liquid from t e upper to the lower vessel in a reduced stream, an electrode in the lower part of the up er vessel, an electrode in the lower part of tli) fvessel, conductors respectively connecting tlie said electrodes with opposite sides of the electric circuit, and means for varying the electric current passing over the said conductors to the said electrodes, substantially as set forth.

9. ln an apparatus of the class described, a non-conducting earthenware vessel having a relatively shallow liquid-holding body'part, an elongated horizontally-arrangeds out 10, widedelecting-walls 19, an electro e in the shallow body part, and a conductor extending to points outside of the vessel and permanently attached to and supported by the lw, substantially as set forth.

10. ln an apparatus for treating milk and other liquids with electricity, the combination of a plurality of liquid receiving and delivering vessels. arranged one above -another in series and each provided with a spout 'adapted to direct the liquid overflowing from it to the next vessel in the series, a plurality of removable electrodes each arranged in one of said vessels, a source of electric supply,`conductors connecting pairs of said electrodes in multiple arc with-said source of current-supply, the vessels containing electrodes of each of said pairs being electrically in series with each other, and the variable resistances for varying the electric current passing between the electrodes of each pair. v

11. In an apparatus for treating milk an'd other liquids with electricity, the combination of a plurality of liquid-receiving and delivering vessels arranged one above the other .in series and each provided with an approximately horizontal spout adapted to direct the liquid .overflowing from 1t to the next vessel'ln the-series, a plurality of removable electrodes', each arranged in one ofsaidvesmate or controle lowery sels near the bottom thereof, acurrent-supply circuit,` and means connecting the electrodes adjacent vessels in saidvseries to the opposite sides of said current-supply circuit.

12. -ln an ap aratus for treating milkand other li uids, t ecombination of a plurality of liqui receiving .and delivering vessels ar- -rangedone above the other in series, Vand 1provided near its top with an ap'proxi-A each horizontal spout adapted to -direct the liquid overllowing from it to the vessel next below it in the series, and a laterallyprojecting tube near the bottom of the vessel, the plurality, of removable electrodes,l each arranged in one of saidvessels near the 'bottom thereof, a currentsupply circuit,

and the plurality of electrical conductors,

each electrically connected at one end to one' f said electrodes and extending throu h the tube carried by the vessel in which sai electrode is placed andhaving its other end con-A nected to one side of said electric' circuit, the

^ conductors leading from the electrodes in` adjacent vessels in said series being connected to opposite sides .of the said current-supply circuit.

13. In an apparatus for treating milk, the combination o two electrically insulated vessels arranged one above the other, 'the upper of said vessels having an imperforate bottom wall and an overflow-spout arranged to direct the milk to the lower of said vessels in a reduced stream exposed to the air A and an electric conductor'for each vessel electrically connected with the li uid therein, said conductor being arrange substantially as set forth to have an electric current flow from one vessel to the other along the said exposed reduced stream. y 14. ln an apparatus for electrically treat- ICO ing milk, a serres of airs of receiving. r,

and delivering`vesse one vessel of each. pair being ada ted to deliver milk to the other one and t e latter vessel being adapted to deliver it to one ofthe vessels of another of said pairs, means for causing the to pass in a reduced stream exposed to the atmosphere .from each vessel to the next, the 1 plurality of electrodes each arranged in one of said vessels, a .source'of current-su ply, the conductors connecting the electro es in each of said pairs to the said source ofsupply substantially as set forth whereby a current of electricity can be caused to pass from one vessel of eachpair to the other through the` said reduced stream flowing between the said' vessels, and the variable resistances arranged of vessels. l i

15. Iny an apparatus for electrically treating milk, the combination of the sexies of pairs ous stream of milk pass throughthem in series, a source of current-supply, the conduclin the branchcircuits for each ofsaid pairs tors respectively interposed between the said -electric circuit for said source of current-supply and the liquid in said vessels and adapted to ass an electric current through the liquid 1n each pair of vessels and along the line of said stream between thervessels of each pair, and the variable resistances in the branch circuits for each pair of vessels.

16. In an a paratus for electrically treating milk or ot er liquids, the combination of the vertically-stepped frame or support, the series of similar non-conducting vessels each supported by said frame or support at a different level and each adapted to deliver liquid overflowing from it to the next vessel below it, a source of current-supply, the series of electrodes each arranged in one of said vessels, and the conductors connecting each of said electrodes to one side of said currentsupply circuit, substantially as set forth whereby the vessels are electrically connected in pairs, the stream of liquid between the vessel of each pair being adapted to com lete the air of vesse s.

17. In an a paratus or electrically treating milk or otliier liquids, the combination of a plurality-oi similar non-conducting vessels arranged in series on diifering levels and adapted to have the liquid owfrom one to the other in a continuous stream, a source of current-supply, conductors extending from the vsaid source of snpplyfto the said vessels and adapted to form with the stream of li uid passing through the vessels a series of e ectric circuits, and means for roviding a uniformity of resistance in the ifferent electric circuits completed by said stream.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a series of vessels each one similar to the others, arranged in pairs and adapted to have the milk flow in a continuous stream Jr'rom one to the next, a source of current-supply, and the electric conductors leading from said source of current-su ply each to the interior of one of said cel s, and adapted to permit a current to ass through the bodies of liquid in the vesse s of each pair. independently of the other pairs, the stream of milk flowing from on`e vessel of' each pair to the next being adapted to complete the electric circuit between the cells.

19. In an apparatus for treating milk or other liquids, a plurality of liquid receiving and delivering vessels each slmilar to the others and arranged in series to have the milk iiow in a continuous stream from one to the next, a source of electric-current supply, the plurality of electrodes each arranged wlthin one of said vessels, andthe conductors electrically connectin the series of electrodes with source of supp y substantiallyas set` forth, whereby sets of the said vessels are connected electrically in series, the streams of li uid flowing from one to the other vessel o each set being adapted to complete the circuit rfor said set, and the sets being connected in the circuit in multi le arc.

In testimony whereof I aiilir my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT C. TURNER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES R. MAYERs, C. B. WOLFE. 

